Controlled exception-based routing protocol validation

Abstract

Systems and methods for testing an implementation of a routing protocol in a device are disclosed. Generally, a sequence of protocol messages is provided and a test is performed to test how a device reacts to a specific playback rate for the sequence of protocol messages, wherein the specific playback rate causes a protocol state transition in the device which differs from an expected protocol state transition absent a specific playback delay.

1. A method of testing an implementation of a routing protocol in a device, the method comprising:
 providing a sequence of protocol messages; and 
 testing how the device reacts to a specific playback rate for the sequence of protocol messages; 
 wherein the specific playback rate causes a protocol state transition in the device which differs from an expected protocol state transition absent a specific playback delay. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the specific playback rate is introduced between a protocol state change in the device. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the specific playback rate is introduced during a protocol state change in the device. 
     
     
       4. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising a set of instructions for testing an implementation of a routing protocol in a device, the set of instructions to direct a processor to perform the acts of:
 providing a sequence of protocol messages; and 
 testing how the device reacts to a specific playback rate for the sequence of protocol messages; 
 wherein the specific playback rate causes a protocol state transition in the device which differs from an expected protocol state transition absent a specific playback delay. 
 
     
     
       5. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 4 , wherein the specific playback rate is introduced between a protocol state change in the device. 
     
     
       6. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 4 , wherein the specific playback rate is introduced during a protocol state change in the device. 
     
     
       7. An apparatus for testing an implementation of a routing protocol in a device, the apparatus comprising:
 means for transmitting to a device a sequence of protocol messages with a playback rate selected by a user; and 
 means for receiving from the device a response to the sequence of protocol messages; and 
 means for determining a protocol state transition in the device caused by the sequence of messages with the selected playback rate, the protocol state transition being different from an expected protocol state transition absent a specific playback delay, based on the response received from the device. 
 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the selected playback rate is introduced between a protocol state change in the device. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the selected playback rate is introduced during a protocol state change in the device. 
     
     
       10. A method of testing an implementation of a routing protocol in a device, the method comprising:
 providing a sequence of protocol messages comprising at least one of a message which is intentionally out-of-conformance with a routing protocol, a repeated protocol field, a removed mandatory protocol field, or an incorrect order of protocol fields; and 
 testing how a device reacts to the sequence of protocol messages. 
 
     
     
       11. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising a set of instructions for testing an implementation of a routing protocol in a device, the set of instructions to direct a processor to perform the acts of:
 providing a sequence of protocol messages comprising at least one of a message which is intentionally out-of-conformance with a routing protocol, a repeated protocol field, a removed mandatory protocol field, or an incorrect order of protocol fields; and 
 testing how a device reacts to the sequence of protocol messages.